Bayern Munich fans were in for quite a treat when Germany hosted Japan at the Weserstadion in Bremen on Tuesday.
This writer in particular had been looking forward to the tie since it had been announced, as it would be a mini-Bayern derby between starlet Momoko Tanikawa and her German teammates. All available Bayern representatives started the game — Ena Mahmutovic, Linda Dallmann, Franziska Kett, and Klara Bühl along with Tanikawa — technically with the exception of Luzie Zähringer, who is currently
on loan at VfB Stuttgart.
Japan were the ones with the stronger start, venturing far into the German half in the early stages. Their efforts bore fruit with just a quarter of an hour gone. It was Tanikawa of all people who hit the target, bamboozling two German defenders to open up space for herself and give her teammate Mahmutovic no chance. It was a piece of skill that Bayern fans may be quite familiar with if they follow the women’s team.
Perhaps Tanikawa lit a fire in her other Bayern teammates, because they quite literally struck back in the 28th minute. Kett passed to Bühl, who found Dallmann in the box, and Bayern’s No. 10 launched a powerful strike right into the roof of the net to level the scores. The teams thus entered halftime with the spoils shared.
Tanikawa was substituted just before the hour mark, but the German Bayern quartet remained on the pitch. Dallmann in particular looked quite lively, forcing a fine save from goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, whom Bayern had already played in the Champions League when they faced Manchester City a few weeks ago.
Yamashita was then partially responsible for Germany’s decisive chance, playing the ball directly to Elisa Senß, another Champions League opponent of Bayern’s this season. The Real Madrid midfielder found Dallmann, who then got the ball to Melissa Kössler. Kössler made a difficult pass to Bühl, who lashed home into the far bottom corner with her left foot.
The score stayed that way, and Germany emerged 2-1 winners over a formidable Japan side, continuing their good form in this international break. Bayern had provided all three goals, quite an achievement for the club as a whole.
Despite their defeat, though, the Japanese players were rightfully commended for their sportsmanship when they walked around the stadium bowing to and thanking not only their fans, but the home crowd for their support as well. Considering the glaring lack of sportsmanship Bayern’s men had to suffer through shortly after in Norway, it was a stark contrast that showed football is best when it is built on mutual respect.
Tanikawa, meanwhile, took a fair few photos with her Bayern teammates, making it a small reunion before they all head back to Munich to prepare for the next wave of club games. The Bayern Frauen’s next game is a Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart this coming Monday.
As for Germany, their opponents for the last international break of the year in November/December are yet to be decided. Since they have already qualified for next year’s World Cup, it can be reasonably assumed that they will play more friendlies against intercontinental opposition.
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- New, improved notifications system!
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
